Universal Funnel Adapter

Abstract

An adapter installs on a receiving container aperture to provide a stable base for supporting a common funnel used for transfer of material into the receiving container. Installation on the receiving container aperture is quick and stable by moving the edges of an aperture engagement portion together to allow it to fit inside the receiving container aperture, and then moving the aperture engagement portion edges apart so the outer surface of the aperture engagement portion contacts the inside diameter of the aperture. A spring or a locking mechanism force exerts a continuous outward force to maintain the adapter in the receiving container aperture. The funnel is then supported by holder rings attached to the aperture engagement portion inner surface that are engaged by the funnel stem. The rings are smaller diameter towards the lower part of the fingers to correspond to the funnel stem taper. The adapter thus provides hands-free use of the funnel.

1 . A funnel adapter device that supports a funnel stem in a receiving container fill aperture comprising:
 a. an aperture engagement portion with an outer surface and an inner surface, an upper end and a lower end, and a left edge and a right edge, each edge located between the upper and lower ends, and the edges corresponding to a left side aperture engagement portion inner and outer surface and a right side aperture engagement portion inner and outer surface;   b. means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right edges on an axis parallel to the edges, such that moving the left and right edge closer together arranges them such that the aperture engagement portion fits within a container aperture, and such that moving the left and right edge further apart arranges them such that the aperture engagement portion outer surface engages the container aperture;   c. means for forcing the aperture engagement portion left and right edges apart such that the aperture engagement portion outer surface engages with the container aperture; and   d. two or more funnel holder rings, each with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a first funnel holder ring attached to the aperture engagement portion inner surface near the aperture engagement portion upper end and a second funnel holder ring attached to the same aperture engagement portion inner surface near the aperture engagement portion lower end, each ring arranged with the inner surface substantially parallel to each other and the ring center axis substantially parallel to the aperture engagement portion axis; whereby when the aperture engagement portion left and right edge are moved closer together, and the lower end of the aperture engagement portion outer surface is inserted into a receiving container fill aperture, the means for forcing the aperture engagement portion left and right edges apart places the aperture engagement portion outer surface in contact with the receiving container fill aperture, and the funnel stem is inserted into the funnel holder rings such that the funnel is supported and a material placed into the funnel is guided into the receiving container.   
   
   
       2 . The funnel adapter device as in  claim 1  further comprising the means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right sides is a first lever and a second lever, each lever with a handle end and a jaws end and arranged pivotably connected on a rotational axis located between the handle end and the jaws end of each lever such that moving the first and second lever handle ends apart causes the jaws ends to move apart, opening the jaws ends, and moving the first and second lever handle ends together causes the jaws ends to move together. 
   
   
       3 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right edges on an axis parallel to the edges is a locking mechanism arranged to engage the first and second lever such that the mechanism opens the jaws end. 
   
   
       4 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right edges on an axis parallel to the edges is a spring arranged to engage the first and second lever such that the spring opens the jaws end. 
   
   
       5 . The flannel adapter device of  claim 1  further comprising the means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right edges on an axis parallel to the edges is a spring material unitary structure arranged to form the aperture engagement portion. 
   
   
       6 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the means for moving the aperture engagement portion left and right sides is a unitary structure of spring material arranged to form the aperture engagement portion. 
   
   
       7 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  where the first funnel holder ring inner diameter is greater than the second funnel holder ring inner diameter. 
   
   
       8 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  where the first funnel holder ring inner diameter is greater than the second funnel holder ring inner diameter. 
   
   
       9 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising adjustable funnel holder rings. 
   
   
       10 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  further comprising adjustable funnel holder rings. 
   
   
       11 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the aperture engagement portion arranged with a stepped outer surface. 
   
   
       12 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the left and right lever have a downward sloping and extended jaw end. 
   
   
       13 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the aperture engagement portion has anti-slip means. 
   
   
       14 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  further comprising the aperture engagement portion has anti-slip means. 
   
   
       15 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the aperture engagement portion is divided into two or more pieces. 
   
   
       16 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  further comprising the aperture engagement portion is divided into two or more pieces. 
   
   
       17 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 4  further comprising a storage clip arranged to maintain the adapter aperture engagement portion left and right edges close together. 
   
   
       18 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  further comprising an insertion support connected to the aperture engagement portion outer surface whereby the support limits the insertion distance of the adapter into the receiving container aperture. 
   
   
       19 . A method of manufacturing a funnel adapter device for supporting a funnel stem in a receiving container fill aperture comprising:
 e. forming an aperture engagement portion with an outer surface and an inner surface, an upper end and a lower end, and a left and a right edge, each edge located between the upper and lower ends, and the edges corresponding to a left side and a right side of the aperture engagement portion inner and outer surfaces;   f. forming two or more funnel holder rings, each with an inner diameter and an outer diameter; and   g. connecting the first funnel holder ring to the aperture engagement portion inner surface near the aperture engagement portion upper end, arranged with the inner diameter substantially parallel to the first lever and second lever axis of rotation whereby compressing the aperture engagement portion moves the edges together, and releasing the compression allows the edges to move apart.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising forming the aperture engagement portion of a unitary piece of spring material. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a. dividing the aperture engagement portion into two or more pieces;   b. connecting a first lever to a second lever, each lever with a handle end and a jaws end with an inner and an outer side and arranged pivotably connected on a rotational axis located between the handle end and the jaws end of each lever;   c. connecting the aperture engagement portion pieces to the first and second lever jaws inner side; and   d. installing a spring arranged to engage the first and second lever such that the spring opens the jaws end whereby forcing the first and second lever handle ends together compresses the spring, and causes the jaws ends to move together, moving the aperture engagement portion edges together, and releasing the force on the first and second lever handle ends allows the spring to move the aperture engagement portion edges apart.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising installing a locking mechanism on the first lever arranged to engage the second lever such that the mechanism opens the jaws end. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a. connecting a first lever to a second lever, each lever with a handle end and a jaws end with an inner and an outer side and arranged pivotably connected on a rotational axis located between the handle end and the jaws end of each lever; and   b. connecting the aperture engagement portion to the first and second lever jaws inner side, whereby forcing the first and second lever handle ends together causes the jaws ends to move together and compresses the aperture engagement portion, moving the aperture engagement portion edges together, and releasing the force on the first and second lever handle ends allows the spring to move the aperture engagement portion edges apart.   
   
   
       24 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 2  further comprising the aperture engagement portion is divided into two or more pieces. 
   
   
       25 . The funnel adapter device of  claim 5  further comprising the aperture engagement portion is divided into two or more pieces.